Harvest
Invoices
Sign up

Invoice Template for France

Harvest provides flexible invoicing options that can be adapted to meet French VAT requirements, including adding necessary VAT details for compliance.

INVOICE DRAFT

Add your logo here
Item type
Description
Quantity
Unit price
Tax
Amount
Subtotal
$0.00
Discount
$0.00
Amount Due
$0.00
Get paid via:
Credit card / Debit card
ACH
Wire transfer
Powered by

Customise invoice

Appearance

Add a logo
Show invoice title

Invoice settings

Tax Add up to 2 tax rates
%
Discount Apply a discount percentage
%

Essential Components of a French Invoice

To ensure legal compliance, a French invoice must include several mandatory elements. Every invoice needs to clearly state "Facture" (Invoice), a unique invoice number, and the date of issue. You must detail both the seller's and buyer's full legal names, addresses, and their respective SIRET numbers. For VAT-registered businesses, the intra-community VAT number (Numéro de TVA intracommunautaire) for both parties is also crucial, especially for cross-border transactions within the EU. The description of goods or services, unit price, quantity, any discounts, the total amount excluding VAT, the applicable VAT rate, the VAT amount, and the total amount including VAT are all required. Payment terms, including the due date and any late payment penalties, must also be specified. From 2026, B2B electronic invoicing will become mandatory in France, so consider templates that support this transition.

Customizing Your Invoice Template

Personalizing your invoice template is key to professional presentation and operational efficiency. Start by integrating your company's logo and branding elements to reinforce your professional image. Most templates allow for easy upload and placement of a logo, often in the header. You should also customize fields to align with your specific business needs; for instance, adding fields for project codes, client reference numbers, or specific service dates can streamline internal tracking. If you offer diverse services or products, ensure the template allows for flexible line item descriptions and varying VAT rates per item. This adaptability helps maintain accuracy and clarity, whether you're billing for consulting, product sales, or recurring subscriptions.

Avoiding Common Invoicing Mistakes in France

Navigating French invoicing requires vigilance to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to penalties. A frequent error is omitting mandatory information, such as the SIRET number or the intra-community VAT number for relevant transactions. Always double-check that all required fields are accurately completed. Ensuring correct VAT compliance is paramount; verify the applicable VAT rate for your goods or services (e.g., 20% standard rate, 10% or 5.5% reduced rates) and apply it correctly. For services or goods supplied by a foreign company to a French VAT-registered business, remember the "autoliquidation" (reverse charge VAT) mechanism, where the recipient declares and pays the VAT. Incorrectly applying or failing to apply reverse charge VAT is a significant mistake to avoid.

Preview Your French Invoice Template

Explore how your invoice will appear with fields for SIRET numbers, VAT rates, and compliance with French invoicing rules.

Invoice Template for France FAQs

  • Harvest allows you to add your company's VAT number to invoices, ensuring compliance with TVA requirements in France.

  • A French invoice must include the title "Facture," a unique invoice number, the date of issue, and the seller's and buyer's legal names and addresses. It should also have their SIRET numbers, intra-community VAT numbers if applicable, a description of goods or services, unit prices, quantity, discounts, VAT rates, VAT amounts, and the total amount including VAT. Payment terms must be specified as well.

  • Yes, Harvest offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to manage invoices, track time, and monitor project progress while on the go. This feature ensures you can stay connected and productive anywhere.

  • Most invoice templates do not automatically calculate reverse charge VAT. It typically requires manual input of the applicable VAT rate and adjustment on the invoice to reflect the reverse charge mechanism accurately.

  • Harvest allows you to structure invoices for different types of services by selecting tracked time, expenses, or fixed fees. This flexibility helps ensure that your invoices are tailored to the specific services you provide.